Twelve advanced empyrean experts arrayed themselves in a circle, completely surrounding Imperial Prince Huoâs airboat. Their formation was clearly premeditated and well-practiced.
Gao Kui radiated disdain. He considered his prey with a diabolical smile. âImperial Prince Huo, do you think you left the Rejuvenation Isles without anyone knowing? Weâve kept a close eye on you these past few days. You were hard to track, but your carelessness finally showed through. Weâve picked up your trail in the end. What do you think? Is this a good place for an ambush?â
âNot a bad place, all things considering.â The imperial prince smiled coolly.
âA fine burial site, wouldnât you agree?â Gao Kuiâs deep hatred for Rejuvenation was undisguised. His tone was filled with violence and rage.
The imperial prince nodded. âYes, yes. A very good burial site.â
âThen let me send you to hell!â Gao Kui brayed with laughter.
âOh? You were talking to me? You mustâve gotten something wrong,â Imperial Prince Huo protested with an air of seriousness. âI do believe this is intended for you.â
Gao Kui blinked, then roared with laughter. âYouâre very funny even on deathâs doorstep, Imperial Prince Huo. Do you think you can possibly escape?â
âEscape? Who said I wanted to escape?â The imperial prince feigned astonishment. âDid I say anything like that?â
His acting was incredibly realistic. He turned to Chief Warden Ding for exaggerated confirmation.
The warden returned his question with a brilliant smile. âNo, sir,â he shook his head. âIndeed, Iâm wondering that myself.â
Gao Kuiâs fury instantly ignited.
Imperial Prince Huo and Chief Warden Ding were bastards through and through! Why werenât they panicking, even though they were obviously about to die? Why werenât they cooperating?
For a brief moment, the situation became mildly absurd.
âIf you insist on being stubborn, Imperial Prince Huo, you can repent your sins in the underworld!â Shrieking, Gao Kui waved to the other men. âKill them! Kill them all!â
Imperial Prince Huo sneered. Suddenly, there was a different shriek in the air â the sound of a birdâs cry. A crimson light pillar pierced the sky.
The Vermilion Birdâs ferocious form blotted out half the firmament. A slight bit of energy was released into bloody, biting currents, surging towards the cultivators at the front.
They had barely a moment to react before being swept into the flow. The Vermilion Bird shook its wings a little, consuming them into its radiance.
Not to be outdone, Long Xiaoxuanâs draconic body moved as well. His gigantic claws grasped two nearby experts by their midsections.
Two shrill screams later, his victimsâ bodies souls were utterly crushed by his Claw of Crushed Mountains and Rivers.
Jiang Chen jumped into action himself as well. The Holy Dragon Bow channeled his draconic energies into two arrows that soared at different targets.
Though he was sixth level empyrean realm, his combat strength was far greater than that. He could take on even ninth level empyrean experts head-on with ease, much less snipe them at a distance with his bow.
The Holy Dragon Bow, coupled with the draconic energy from a son of a celestial emperor, was capable of inflicting injuries on gods. Advanced empyrean cultivators were easy prey.
Pop, pop!
Two crisp noises later, two ninth level empyrean heads exploded like watermelons. They died on the spot.
In the blink of an eye, nine cultivators on Gao Kuiâs side had died.
Only three remained: Gao Kui himself, the one-eyed man with a mane of hair, and a cultivator near the back.
Gao Kui couldnât believe his eyes. His comrades were falling all around him. Was he dreaming?
His head went blank with shock. âCommander Gao, letâs get out of here!â the one-eyed man shouted. âThey have powerful experts with them!ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Alas, their reactions were far too slow. The surrounding space was already locked down by a cloud of fire.
No matter where they headed, a hell of flames awaited them. The scorching temperatures singed their souls before they could even approach.
They could only return to their original location. There was no more arrogance in their eyes, just terror!
The tables had completely turned in the blink of an eye.
Imperial Prince Huo was profusely exuberant. He had finally made the correct decision, and it was already paying off! Young lord Jiang Chen had instantly reversed the situation!
No matter what kind of fighting would take place later between Rejuvenation and Tritalent, the death of twelve advanced empyrean experts would significantly reduce the strength of the latter!
Such a huge loss irreparably damaged Tritalentâs military capital, which would force a reevaluation of the differences in strength between the two rival factions.
This moments-long battle had completely changed the war, as well as the Rejuvenation Islesâ fate.
Gao Kui felt entirely the opposite as the imperial prince. He was more than terrified; he was abjectly lost and despairing. He couldnât understand how all of this had happened. Hadnât they been on the verge of killing Imperial Prince Huo?
Who had the imperial prince managed to petition? He hadnât even caught how the enemy had slain his comrades.
The fighting had taken place in a flash. Mighty beings had showed their strength on the battlefield by reaping the lives of his men.
Gao Kui had no delusions left after that convincing display. The entities he was fighting against were too terrifying. He wouldnât have a chance to run.
âYou were right about one thing, Gao Kui. This place is a perfect gravesite for you lot.â Imperial Prince Huo was exercising a victorâs right. His tone and mood were completely relaxed.
Gao Kui was absolutely ashen. âImperial Prince Huo, who did you invite?!â He screamed, glaring in the princeâs direction. âIâve lost, and I donât expect to leave alive. Can you at least tell me who I lost to, so I can die with some understanding?â
The imperial prince sneered. âWhy should I tell you? Iâd prefer you to be ignorant.â
Gao Kui was as white as a sheet. His lips trembled and he couldnât stop shaking his head. Evidently, he was stuck in the throes of despair.
Suddenly, he howled in exasperation, pouncing in Imperial Prince Huoâs direction like an arrow in flight.